Assignment 1: How did we get here?

Teaching Science from a Historical Perspective

 

Objectives

1.     Student will utilize the Randall Library’s research tools and services as a source for research and continued professional development.

2.     Students will gain knowledge about their discipline through the analysis of a scientific topic of historical importance in education (for instance, evolution).

3.     Students will gain an understanding of the influential leaders in science education during this historical time period (for instance, Charles Darwin)

4.     Students will garner an appreciation of the controversial ideas present in science education during this historical time period.

5.     Students will engage the class in a discussion about a historical topic and defend its relevance in the curriculum.

6.     Students will learn to lesson plan using the six-point style.

 

Standards Addressed

1.     NC Essential Standards

Ø Please add appropriate standards to your six-point lesson plan

2.     North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards

Ø Standard II, III, and IV
 

                                     

Rationale

It is my intention to utilize this assignment as a means of framing the discipline from which you have chosen to pursue a career. Understanding science content from a historical perspective is vital to the success of developing a scientifically literate population. Many science educators have little or no understanding of their discipline from a historical perspective, and therefore, take information heard in the media and more importantly found in textbooks as law. Some well-intentioned textbooks support misconceptions in science as well as support political positions of bias. My intended outcomes for this assignment are for you, as an educator, to simply develop an understanding of the need to critically analyze the knowledge base of science and take great consideration of the sources from which it has developed. During this assignment, it is important to note that breadth of understanding the discipline is more of a concern to me than depth of understanding. That will come later.

 

The Challenge

o   (20 Points) Create a 30-minute PowerPoint presentation for a high school class that incorporates the following components:

1.     Choose an individual of historical importance and explain their contributions to the science content topic of interest.

2.     How did the science education community initially respond to the controversial idea?

3.     Attempt to tell a historical story of the topic’s acceptance into mainstream scientific thought?

 

o   (40 Points) Using TaskStream, create a detailed six-point lesson plan for a 90-minute block period being sure to include the following components

1.     Focus and Review (Establish Prior Knowledge)

·        How will you open the class?

·        How will you engage and motivate your students to learn?

2.     Statement (Inform) of Objectives

·        What will you do to implement the SCOS in your class? 

·        Please be specific and there should be no more than three objectives.

3.     Teacher Input (Present tasks, information, and guidance)

·        List all teacher-directed actions in class?

·        Hint: The PowerPoint is an example; explain each in detail!

4.     Guided Practice (Elicit performance)

·        What activities have you designed for students to interact?

·        Cooperative learning activities would be an example.

5.     Independent Practice- Seatwork and Homework (Retain and transfer)

·        What are students doing independently to retain and transfer any new knowledge learned?

·        Are you assigning homework?

6.     Closure (Plan for maintenance)

·        How are you going to summarize the day’s lesson?

·        Link this explanation directly to your objectives.

STANDARDS & ASSESSMENT

·        Attach the appropriate standards as listed in North Carolina Standard Course of Study

·        Explain the assessment

o   See History of Science Rubric

Presentation Requirements

o   (40 Points) A rubric will be developed with the class to refine the requirements for grading purposes. The following are minimum requirements for completion of the assignment:

1.     Present your PowerPoint Presentation (See Presentation Rubric)

·        Ten minute time limit!

·        No more than fifteen (15) slides.

o   Summary of how you utilized the libraries research tools (1 slide).

o   What content area (Biology, Chemistry, etc.) and topic was chosen, and where is it relevant in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study? (3 slides)

o   Note an individual of historical importance and explain their contributions to the development of your chosen topic. (3 slides)

o   How did the science education community respond to this controversial idea? (1 slides)

o   Attempt to tell a historical story of the topic’s acceptance into mainstream scientific thought? (1 slide)

o   How will this lesson appear in your daily lesson plan? (1 slide)

2.     References - One PowerPoint slide must include the following:

·        At least three journal articles from the Randall Library collections (Attempt to use the ones in the syllabus),

·        At least one reference/text book from the Randall Library collections (That’s right! Reference a book!),

·        At least three websites from the World Wide Web (NETS-T), and

·        At least one Application that can be implemented on a smartphone

·        At least one DVD/Video from the Randall Library collections (or Youtube, Teachertube, Nat Geo, etc.).

 

Helpful Links

·        The Six Point Lesson Plan

o   Example one

o   Example two

·        PowerPoint Example 1 and Example 2

·        Writing Daily Lesson Plan Objectives

o   Writing Behavioral Objectives

o   Information About Learning Objectives and How to Write Them